Multiple catch



K. FJZIEHM, JR

MULTIPLE CATCH March 14, 1939.

.Filed Aug. 16 1958 Patented Mar. 14, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEMULTIPLE CATCH ration of Illinois Application August 16, 1938, SerialNo. 225,187

4 Claims.

This invention relates to a multiple catch for releasably securing theseveral covers or lids of a small case, such as a vanity, it being aprimary object to provide a simple and inexpensive con- 5 struction inwhich the actuating finger pieces may be located in juxtaposition, butremotely from the associated locking elements, and be selectivelyoperated. The present improvements are directed more particularly to thecombination of two or more finger pieces adaptable either for joint orseparate operation. The present catch is applicable, depending upon theform given to it, to cases of various contour and construction.

A suggestive embodiment of this invention is set forth in theaccompanying drawing, where- Figure 1 is a perspective view of aconventional vanity case to which the present multiple catch is applied,the cover being open to exhibit the 0 interior construction;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary horizontal section through the case body showingone of two adjacent finger pieces actuated to release one only of thecatches;

Fig. 3, which is a view similar to Fig. 2, shows both finger piecesactuated for the release of two catches;

Fig. 4 is a detail in perspective of the multiple catch unit per se; 7Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an open vanity case in which themultiple catch is of modified construction;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, horizontal sectional view through the case bodyof Fig. 5, showing one of the catches operated to releasing position;Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6, showing both finger pieces actuatedto release the two catches; Fig. 8 is a detail in perspective of themultiple catch unit last mentioned; and Fig. 9 is a detail in section,taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 6.

According to the construction suggested in,

Figure 1,- the case comprises a body B having marginal walls I0 alongone edge of which are formed a series of aligned joints ll interfittingwith other joints l2 formed along the edge of a cover C, a pintle 13being extended through all the joints to hingedly connect the cover tothe body. A spring I4 is optionally coiled about the pintle, one endpressing on the cover and the other on the body so as to exert opposingforces by which the cover tends to swing to an open position withrespect to the body.

Within the case body may be fitted a rectangular frame F havingdepending marginal flanges I 5 disposed adjacent to the marginal wallsof the body. The .frame may be held fixedly within the body in anydesired way, as by lips (not shown) engaging therewith, extendinginwardly from the marginal walls of the body. 5 Within the frame iscontained a sunken panel, defined in part by depending walls [6, forpowder or the like, and over this panel is positioned a lid L hingedlyjoined as at IT to the frame along an axis which is transverse to thatof the hinged connection for the cover C. This hinge may also beoptionally equipped with a spring (not shown) adapted to exert thereuponan opening force in the manner already described.

Through the front wall of the case body is a 15 slot 20, in registerwith a slot in the marginal flange of the platform, adapted to receivetherethrough a finger piece 2| which is projected forwardly from anouter bowed leaf spring a which is positioned within the space betweenthis flange and the depending panel wall l6. Upstanding from this springis a forwardly extending catch 22 (see Fig. 4) adapted, in response totension ofthe spring, to engage with a lip 23 which is provided on thefree edge of the cover. When 25 the finger piece is pressed inwardly toflatten the spring, the catch will be shifted to a position of release,permitting the cover to then open.

A second finger .piece 25 is also extended through the slot 2|, as wellas through a slot 26 in the bowed leaf spring a. This second fingerpiece is joined to the bowed section of an inner leaf spring I) whichoccupies a position immediately to the rear of the outer spring. One endof the inner spring is bent as at 2'! through substantially a rightangle to provide a rearwardly extending arm 28 having near its extremityan upstanding neck 29 which passes through a slot in the frame tosupport at its extremity a laterally facing catch 30 adapted toreleasably engage the proximate free edge of the lid L. The end of theinner spring opposite the arm 28 may be laterally turned to provide afinger 3| adapted to lie along the depending panel wall which isopposite to the wall along which the arm 28 is extended.

By depressing the finger piece 25, the inner spring is flattened toproduce an outward swinging movement of its arm 28 whereby to releasethe catch 30 from engagement with the free edge of the lid L with whichit is adapted to coact. Either or both catches may be operated by theapplication of pressure to one or the other of the two finger pieces. Ifonly the finger piece connected with the outer spring be operated, therewill be an initial releasing movement of the cover catch, followed, ifthe movement proceeds far enough, by a releasing movement of the lidcatch consequent upon flattening of the inner spring in response topressure transmitted from the outer spring. On the other hand, if onlythe finger piece for the inner spring be operated, there will then be arelease of the lid catch, but no corresponding operation of the covercatch. Both catches lie in juxtaposed relation so as to be operabletogether, if desired, or separately, if preferred. By normally extendingthe finger piece for the cover catch slightly ahead of the other, theoperator, with the sense of feel, will have no difficulty in operatingthis catch alone.

The description up to this point applies particularly to theconstruction illustrated in Figs. 1-4 inclusive. It also applies inlarge part to the remaining figures, wherein the corresponding partsbear like reference numerals. In the respects that the lid catch isconcealed, and that the two finger pieces are interfitted, instead ofbeing juxtaposed, the construction shown in Figs. 5-9 presentsdifferences which will now be explained.

Through the slot 20 of the case body is projected a finger piece 35which is extended forwardly from an outer spring 0 formed with an anglearm 38 which carries a catch 30 near its free end in position to engagereleasably with a shoulder l which is formed on the under side of thelid L so as to be hidden from view. In response to aninward pressureupon this finger piece, the catch will be released in the manner alreadyexplained, permitting the lid to be opened. At its front end this fingerpiece is provided with an upstanding wall through which is a slot 4| forthe reception of a second finger piece 33 which extends from an innerbowed spring at which lies rearwardly of the other. A catch 32 upstandsfrom this inner spring in a position to normally engage with the lip 23of the cover and disengage therefrom in response to a pressure upon theassociated finger piece. In this construction it will be observed thatthe spring for the lid catch lies outwardly of the other, instead ofrearwardly thereof as in the constructions of Figs. 1-4, and that thefinger piece for the inner spring is extended slidingly through thefinger piece of the outer spring, instead of being disposed alongsidethereof.

The finger piece for the inner spring normally protrudes forwardly ofthe other (Figs. 5 and 8) so that the user may apply pressure solely tothis finger piece, if desired. By so proceeding, the lid cover alone ispermitted to open. If the pressure, however, be distributed generallly,or be of sufiicient magnitude, then both finger pieces will be actuated,with the result that a releasing movement is communicated to bothcatches substantially concurrently.

In order that the present device may be operable with a hidden catch itis desirable that the two springs be relatively fiat in the plane oftheir movements so as to occupy a lesser space, and the parts which havebeen described in connection with Figs. 5-9 are so illustrated.

It will be noted that my multiple catch comprises two bowed springs, oneengageable near its extremities with the other, there being a catch nearthe center of one spring and a second catch remote therefrom on theother spring. In the one case (Figs. 1-4) where the springs are flat ina plane transversely of their movement one may be used to operate theother, whereas in the other case where the flattening is in the plane oftheir movements one spring may be over the other so as to preservecomplete independence of operation for each. A stop to limit the outwardmovement of the catches may be provided by shoulders s speciallyprovided, as in Figs. 1-4, or by the bows of the springs which remainunder tension after assembly.

I claim:

In a case, the combination with a body to which is hinged a cover and alid, of separate spring catches for releasably securing the cover andlid, and a fingerv piece in connection with each catch whereby toproduce independent operation thereof, one of the finger pieces beingextended through the other.

2. In a case, the combination with a body to which is hinged a cover anda lid, of separate spring catches for releasably securing the cover andlid, and a finger piece in connection with each catch whereby to produceindependent operation thereof, the two finger pieces being juxtaposedwith one projecting forwardly of the other to facilitate initialoperation thereof.

3. In a case, the combination with a body to which is hinged a cover anda lid, of separate catches for releasably securing the cover and lid,each catch comprising a bowed spring, one behind the other and archeddifferently therefrom, and a finger piece extended from each spring forconcurrent or selective operation of the two catches. I

4. In a case, the combination with a body to which is hinged a cover anda lid, of separate catches for releasably securing the cover and lid, aspring whereon one catch is carried and a second spring wherein thesecond catch is carried, and a pair of finger pieces in juxtapositionmovable freely of each other, one connected to one spring and the otherto the second spring, and each adapted to transmit an operating movementto its associated spring and the catch carried thereby whereby torelease the cover or the lid or both for opening movement, there being asingle opening through the case body for the projection therethrough ofboth catches to operating positions exteriorly of the case.

KURT F. ZIEHM, JR.

